What to do with them? They always seem to be fighting...
The silver-haired jounin thought as he watched his students fight as they usually did, well, as Naruto and Sasuke usually did, Sakura normally just stayed in the background and looked worried. He sighed softly, his hand, gloved, reached up and ran through his hair a moment, his single visible eye was obviously bored. He glanced at Sakura, who didn't appear to be happy at all. Which was a good thing. It meant less fighting, hopefully, although the tension from Sasuke and Naruto was stretching, and fraying, and it would snap, soon. Hopefully, the jounin would be there to stop it before anything else happened. 'Hopefully' being the key-word.
"What did you say to me you punk?"
"If you weren't smart enough to hear it in the first place there's no sense in repeating what I said."
"Grrrrr! Your attitude really pisses me off Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke looked at the blond-hair genin with his soulless black eyes. His mouth twitched suddenly. He wasn't having a good day, how could he? He'd had to rescue that Naruto from a tree, and then from the training field. Arrrrgggg! He did not have time for this! Couldn't Naruto see that he was busy! He had to become stronger! To beat Itachi and have his revenge for his family! He glanced at Kakashi, who appeared also to be bored. Sasuke wasn't even really listening to Naruto's rants anymore. He had tuned him out.
"Hey! Are you listening to me Sasuke-kun!"
"No, should I be?"
"AARRRRRRR! You punk! You think your better than everyone else is that it?"
"I told you that before, weren't you listening?"
"I'm gunna kill you!"
"You say, yet you never follow through."
Naruto glared at the raven-haired boy who stood in front of him so cocky and arrogant. Arg! Sasuke really pissed him off! His blue eyes flashed with sudden anger. He huffed softly, his fists bunched at his sides. He glared at the Uchiha boy. his eyes like blue flames on his face. He snarled angrily, wondering why he was always the one who needed rescuing! He was about to retort angrily, when his sensei cut in,
"Now now, both of you calm down. We don't want any casualties now do we?"
Kakashi spoke with his raspy, yet calm voice. His muffled words carried clear crossed to his students. He sighed, his eye closing a moment, before opening. Naruto had relaxed, but his fists were still bunched at his sides, and Sasuke wasn't moving at all. Hardly any emotion flicked over his features. The elite-ninja sighed softly and looked around, his hand coming up and resting on his hip.
"Whadda you mean Kakashi-sensei?" Asked Naruto, his voice puzzled for a moment. He turned his gaze over to Sasuke, who watched Kakashi as well.
"You don't get it? Maaa...what am I to do? Babysit you all of the time? Must I spell out every single, little thing?" Kakashi asked, rather annoyed that his genin was dumb enough not to know what he was referring to. Naruto squinted his eyes. Here it comes. All of the questions in the world. Kakashi thought silently, wishing that he was somewhere else at that moment in time.
Naruto opened his mouth to let out a hale-storm of questions to his sensei, when a friendly voice came from behind them.
"Hey! Kakashi, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura! How are you guys doing?"
The words came from the chuunin. Kakashi hurried over. His hands grasping at Iruka's arms as he hide behind the teacher and complained loudly.
"Oh dear, Iruka-sensei! I just can't seem to get Naruto-kun and Sasuke-kun to get along!"
Four separate sweatdroplets formed on the back of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura's, and Iruka's heads. They sighed inwardly, ashame at being seen with the child-like Jounin. Iruka huffed and looked at Kakashi,
"No time for that now Kakashi. We've both been called to the Hokage's office."
"Maa, what did he destroy this time?"
"Kakashi-sensei, he needs our help!"
"Maa, I suppose you're right Iruka-sensei."
Releasing the chuunin's arm from his vice-like grip he turned and regarded his students with a happy look. They sighed and watched him, still all ashamed for their sensei's behavior. They sighed, but Naruto butted in and asked the first question,
"Can we come?"
Iruka huffed a soft sigh of regret. He ruffled the hair of the genin fondly as he walked over and crouched down. Naruto, already guessing what the answer was, huffed and turned his face away from his favorite chuunin, his favorite ninja for that matter entirely.
"Nah it's just Kakashi-sensei and me this time kid."
"Oh, damn. Why can't I come? I never got to do anything cool like you! I can understand why they wouldn't want Sasuke, but why not me?"
"Heh heh, you are a funny one Naruto-kun."
Iruka turned at a tugg of his jacket. He met the black eye of the silver-haired jutsu-genius. He stood up, flexing his back slightly,
"Well, we must go."
Iruka waved farewell to the students and Kakashi turned, soon to follow, he looked over his shoulder,
"Don't do anything stupid whilst I'm gone ok?"
Naruto nearly went nuclear. It took both Sakura and Sasuke to hold the enraged kyuubi-carrier from rendering their sensei limb from limb. He cursed, spat and soon was still. Sakura giggled softly, unheard. Naruto was like a small dog, all bark, and little bit. She'd of course, forgotten that Naruto was the one who saved her from Gaara. Although she still was hard to believe. What kind of power did Naruto have in him? She knew that the Kyuubi was strong, but how strong was the nine-tailed demon-fox? She shivered suddenly, a hand rested on her shoulder,
"Don't worry Sakura-kun, I'll protect you!"
But you don't understand Naruto! Its you I'm scared of! But she didn't voice that comment aloud. Naruto's expression darkened a moment, then he threw back his head and laughed happily, his arms rising and coming to rest on the back of his head, he chuckled and closed his eyes,
"I guess we have a few days off. Hey! Sakura-kun!"
He grabbed her arm with one of his own. She struggled a moment, then relented. She'd been about to go home and eat something as she missed breakfast and diner the night before. She was starving and glad they didn't have to get any missions today. She turned and looked at Naruto, however and sighed in anger,
"Yes Naruto-kun?"
"Do you want to go to the Romen Shop with me for some romen?"
A pulse mark started to spread on her face. She was about to scream at Naruto when a swish of air and a small breeze cast her emerald glance off the sapphire-eyed boy. She noticed that her love -Sasuke- was gone. She heaved a sigh, she hadn't a chance to ask him out yet! Oh, he'd probably say no though. What's the point? She sighed with dejection, or was it rejection? Either way, it still hurt... She looked at Naruto, he wouldn't be so bad, if he wasn't such a dunce all the time! She sighed with irritation. The frail hope that was on his face quickly melted. He sighed, almost angrily it seemed,
"Oh... I guess not then... See ya later."
With a wave of his hand, which lacked the joy of emotional flare he usually had whenever he talked to Sakura. He turned and walked off, alone. Leaving Sakura behind him, looking throughly ashamed of herself.
-Kakashi and Iruka-
Kakashi zipped alongside the chuunin, a question formed in his mind, why did the Hokage need his and Iruka's help? Was it that bad, or was it just something to get him away from his students...? He smiled and walked alongside the chuunin with the urgency in his step. He suddenly darted ahead, very out of character for him.
Iruka protested as the jounin jumped ahead of him. He sighed and then hurried his own speed, truthfully, he was glad he was going with the jounin, although he was a bit nervous that he didn't know the Jounin that well. But he could get to know him later couldn't he? This was supposed to be quick mission, wasn't it? Iruka sighed softly and drew even with the sharingan-user and sighed softly. They were here.
Both stopped, not the least winded, and glanced at each other, they met the other's eyes, or eye in Iruka's case and then entered the building that marked the home and office of the Hokage. They entered as soon as Iruka's knock was answered.
Both looked in, spotting the older man sitting at the table. Kakashi sighed and bowed, at the same time as Iruka. The Hokage was silent a moment, then nodded his head, as if in approval of something.
"Good choice Iruka-sensei."
"Sir?"
"I'm glad you picked Kakashi-sensei as your partner."
"Maa, why am I here again? Iruka-sensei said something about a mission...?"
The fourth Hokage sighed softly. Kakashi was quick annoying at times,
"Yes yes. Erm, Kakashi-sensei and Iruka-sensei. I have a very special mission for the two of you. If you decide to take it you will leave immediately to the Village Hidden in the Waves... Is there a problem Kakashi-sensei?"
He asked because the jounin had winced. Even though he should have not, he sighed and shook his head. The memories of Haku still terrified him at night. He couldn't get over them, even though he knew he must if he wishes to stay alive. He caught Iruka looking at him and signal he didn't wish to talk about it. The chuunin nodded and faced the Hokage.
"Hokage, what are we doing?"
"You need to deliver a scroll to the leader of the Land of Waves."
Kakashi nodded and sighed slowly, He shook his head and then nodded. He'd go through with this. His masked face gave nothing away. He caught Iruka looking at him again. He gave a false grin under his mask and his eyes curved up. it was enough to relax the chuunin. He turned back to the Hokage,
"I accept."
"So do I."
"Good, you shall start tomorrow morning, oh, Kakashi..."
The jounin turned back after he thought he'd heard a dismissal. He turned back to the Hokage, his single visible eye looked bored,
"Yes?"
"Be sure to be on time, alright?"
Kakashi shrugged and walked out of the door with a friendly wave.
Iruka sighed and shook his head slightly, then departed form the Hokage's office. He had to get ready for the mission!
-Kakashi-
Turning on his heel he headed out of the office and closed his eye a moment and felt the chakra signs of his students. He smiled to himself and quickly hurried off. while he was traveling, he spotted them. He quickly pulled up and decided to listen to what they were saying. He knew it was something about him. He quickly settled down and listened to them.
"Awww, where is he!" Said Naruto, raking a hand threw his yellow hair and adjusted his head-band with pride. He grinned and looked about slowly.
"It doesn't matter." Sasuke said calmly. Kakashi wasn't impressed with any of them. If they were strong maybe they could sense him? Sakura should be able to for sure! He sighed softly and quietly stepped after them as Sasuke and Naruto started to argue again.
"What do you mean it doesn't matter?"
"What do you think it means you Fox!"
"Hey! Who are you calling a Fox!"
Kakashi sighed, he didn't even know what a 'Fox' was, but he got the general idea of the comment. He sighed and looked at Sakura, surely she'd noticed him by now...? Nope. She was engaged with Naruto now, arguing, Sasuke hadn't noticed him yet, this was amusing to the jounin. He quickly pulled out his lovely book and flipped to his bookmark and started to read, following them as he read.
"Naruto-kun! You are so difficult!"
"Hey! Sakura-kun, how am I being difficult! Sasuke-kun started it!"
"Rrrrriiiight Naruto-kun, I believe you because...?"
"Errrrggg, It's Sasuke-kun's fault! If Kakashi-sensei were back he'd agree with me--"
"I would do no such thing Naruto-kun."
"NANI?"
All three of them looked at him with shock in their youthful eyes. He grinned and put his book away. He smiled and looked at each of their shocked faces. He glanced at Sasuke, whose black eyes glared at him with anger was it? Oh, he'd managed to piss off Sasuke! Excellent! His eye then flicked over to their maverick. Naruto was staring at him with open shock,
"What, shocked to see me so soon?"
"Ur...er..."
"Kakashi-sensei?"
"Yes Sakura-kun?"
"Why did you have to go with Iruka-sensei?"
"Hmmm...? Oh, Hokage has asked us to go on a mission."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
"Gee, that' a bunch of warning, what are we supposed to do while you''re gone?"
"Small missions?"
"NO WAY!"
"Naruto-kun!"
"Nuh UH! I refuse!"
Kakashi sighed as Naruto had one of his famous fits. His arms crossed in an X in front of his chest. He sighed softly and turned away from the trio, he looked at Naruto, then walked over to him and ruffled his hair. The genin glared up at his sensei with anger in his sapphire blue eyes.
"Why can't we come along?"
"It's an A-ranked mission Naruto-kun."
"So?"
"You can't Naruto-kun, that's that. I'll see all of you when I get back. Sasuke-kun, try not to kill Naruto-kun alright?"
"Hmmmph."
Kakashi smiled and turned from his group, with a quick wave, he vanished back to his home to get ready. He sighed and slowly packed his bag, making sure he had everything he needed with him. Then he pondered why he still had bad dreams about that Haku kid. He shook himself and walked into his living-room and sat down. With the bag still only half-prepared, he drifted off and looked about his room.
He glanced at a painting, it was of birds. Rather like Chidori, He thought absently, looking about swiftly and quietly. He sighed and got up. His jacket came off and his undergarments, his mask and arm-covers still remained on him, yes, he wore it every single hour of his life. He quickly grabbed a glass of water and pulled down his mask in the shadows and drank swiftly. He fingered the scar that ran from about two inches above his eye, to three or four inches down past his eye, covered by the outer mask, and all the other masks he happened to be wearing at that time.
At last, he went to bed and dreamed gentler things that Haku's death.
-Iruka-
After departing from the Hokage's office, the chuunin walked about a bit, picking up some food and returned back to his home. He thought about his choice. Why had he chosen Kakashi again? He could have picked any old shinobi, why did it have to be Kakashi?
Because he trusted him.
He trusted him with Naruto, and Sasuke, he could trust him to protect Iruka could he not? But why did Kakashi flinch when the Land of Waves was mentioned? Iruka sat down after he opened the door to his home and locked it. He lifted the items from his lap and set them on the table. He heaved a sigh and thought a moment.
Perhaps he could ask Naruto? Or one of the others, but he wouldn't just butt into Kakashi life like he was the boss of him or what-not. He sighed, curiosity killed the chuunin, he thought guiltily to himself.
He put away his items and went to get ready for the next morning. He packed quickly, taking only things he needed. Then changed into his sleep clothes and got into his cold bed. He wished he'd someone to talk to as he lay there that night. Someone who'd understand and chat with him.
He heaved another sigh and turned over, looking at a photo of his genin days. He smiled as his eyes drifted closed and the chuunin slept soundly.
Next day
-Iruka-
Eyes opened slowly as the small clock beside him went off with a loud chorus of birds. He smiled and quickly got up, yawing and stretching, he popped his back and sighed. Eyes still blinking, he got up and moved towards his bathroom, feet traveling a well-worn path. He touched the door-sill and smiled, feeling the soft quality of wood.
Grumbling, he quickly got into the bathroom and striped down and quickly turned on the water. He glanced in the mirror, seeing all of the scars on his body, he rubbed his nose-scar delicately and sighed softly. Placing his hand under the water, he smiled as he felt the warmth. Quickly letting in, he smiled and washed himself, taking care of his hair. He sighed and laughed softly.
Turning off the water after about twenty-minutes, the chuunin quickly dried off and dressed himself. Looking at all of the items he'd gathered the night before he smiled and looked at the clock. It was still before six, he was doing good today!
He walked to the front of the house, also known as his kitchen and brewed some tea in the kettle, and went to the shelf, still not truly-awake. He wouldn't be until he'd had a least one cup of tea. At least one.
Quickly grabbing out a healthy apple and some wheat he made himself some hot cereal and sliced the apple into perfect slices. He was a fanatic about being on time. He grinned and thought if Kakashi was still in bed or not. He turned off the kettle as it started to hiss at him. He had to stop it before it REALLY stared to scream at him, that had happened to him once. It hadn't been pleasant after. Iruka sighed, the ENTIRE CAP flew at him!
He'd narrowly avoided third-degree burns, and to be laughed at the village for his stupidity! He sighed softly and flicked the flames off. He poured the heated water into a glass containing a tea packet. He sniffed at it and smiled at the scent; Vanilla and Thyme. What a wonderful smell!
He smiled and opened the door, spotting no one about he closed it and went to make sure that he'd everything ready, a casual glance at the clock calmed him, six-thirty. He raked a hand through his hair and stopped. Wait. Through his hair? Running back to the bathroom and sliding to a stop before the mirror, he gasped. His hair was down!
He quickly pulled out a hair-tie and combed his hair back, quickly put his up. He grinned sheepishly and sighed at his near-miss. Once, he'd gone without it, it'd had been the worst day of his life! Everyone, (including Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi) said he looked like a girl! As if that wasn't enough! He didn't have...well...girl parts...He blushed suddenly and wondered what it was like, as a female...He shook off the question and quickly went to get his tea. Sniffing at the pleasant aroma he grinned and sipped at it.
He'd always liked dark tea.
He whistled happily and gathered his bag and placed it on his back, quickly transferring the cup to his other hand with an impressive display of skill, he slipped on the other strap over his shoulder and smiled. He quickly glanced at the clock and grinned. It was just seven A.M.! He smiled winningly and put his glass into the sink, after washing it of course! Then, whistling a soft tune he set out.
He paused in his whistling and turned about, locking his door. You never knew what kind of things students could do to you. He'd only have to ask the Hokage. He shivered and made sure the door was locked. He turned and set off, pocketing the keys he set off for the front gates, feeling that he was making good time.
He arrived at the main gates in about ten minutes. He settled down, pleased that he was first there. He looked about and waited for Kakashi. This could take a while.
-Kakashi-
Beep...beep...beep
Blinking blearily the jounin slowly came awake. He groaned and lifted a hand, slapping at the 'SNOOZE' button for the fifth time that morning. Turning over he pulled the blanket up over his head, relishing in the darkness he dozed back off to sleep. His body was comfortably warm and he wasn't ready to get up anyway. Who cares if the Hokage asked nicely? The jounin ran on his signal, not anyone else's.
Beep...beep...beep
He groaned and placed a hand over his face in agony, would it not leave him alone? What had be done that could cause all of this pain? He muttered darkly and reached a hand out into the tundra-like temperature, at least, that's what it felt like outside of his blankets. All five of them. He swiped at the dial and rolled over again. He'd missed of course, so that annoy mono-tone beeping just went on, and on, and on...slowly driving the elite-ninja awake against his will.
Beep...beep...beep
He glanced at the clock, both eyes open, it was only six-ten? He sighed and rolled over, but the beeping went on and on,driving him slowly insane again. He groaned and glared at the clock as if that would somehow stop the annoying beeping without him having to get out. He sighed and sat up in bed, silver hair flopped over and lazy on one side of his face, obscuring his scarred eye. He yawned through his mask, which he'd warn to bed last night, he'd been to lazy to take it off. He glanced at the cock and sighed, when had he time to set that damn machine?
Beep...beep...beep
Kakashi decided that he really, truly hated that piece of junk. He swiftly grabbed it and stopped the beeping with a carefully placed hand. The jounin looked around, raising his hand sleepily, he rubbed his eyes delicately and scratched idly at an itch. He yawned and stood up, his black over-shirt covered his body, but it was tight about it, he smiled and felt as though he was wearing another skin.
He trudged to the shower and sighed, removing the warm outfit he quickly warmed the water and walked in as soon as the shower-head worked. He sighed and slowly relaxed as the heated droplets hit his head, neck, back, and shoulders. He smiled and lifted his head, naked body was obscured by the steam that rose from the heat of the water. He sighed happily and quickly washed his hair, his body turning a rather delicate shade of pink since the water was extremely hot.
He turned off the water, after a cold blast of the droplets caught him off-guard and he let out a surprised yelp. He sighed and reached a hand from his shower and grabbed a towel hanging from the rack near the door. Drying himself off he wrapped the towel about his midsection and secured it with a pin since he didn't trust his folds. He really didn't want the towel to come off until he was ready. His skin still tingling as he got out and dried his hair. He placed his over-shirt on, well, it truly was his under-shirt but he really didn't care since he was still half-asleep.
He yawned again and fingered a strand of his hair boredly. He grabbed the blow-dryer and dried his hair to one side. He quickly(and skillfully, he thought with pride), applied the specific amount of gel his hair needed to retain that position through the day's hard work. He smiled and looked at himself in the mirror, a hand played over one of the scars near his throat, one that had nearly killed him, he sighed and touched another on his shoulder, looking at his chest, the freshest cut he had was there. The clean slice from his abdomen to his torso. He winced when he remembered the pain. His single black eye closed as he remembered that fight. It hadn't been that long ago after all.
He sighed and moved from the bath-room, the towel still secured on his mid-section. He sighed and slipped on his gloves as he went to the dresser, seeing the holes felt from the demon-wind shuriken, and the hole left by Zabuza's kunai knife. Would he never be rid of the memories of those two? He sighed, he actually had liked Zabuza, the man who also covered his face, Kakashi dreamily looked about. what would have happened if he'd met Zabuza, when he wasn't an 'evil' ninja? When he wasn't a rouge, but then, Kakashi mused, he wouldn't be the same.
He chuckled and glanced at the clock, he'd been in the shower and staring at his dresser for nearly and hour. He shrugged and slipped on some under-garments and then his pants. He secured the shukirken holster and slipped on his vest. He shrugged into it, feeling the thick material and smiled. He felt safer already! He'd removed the towel and left it lying on the bed, he'd more it later. Now he was thinking about two things, what he was going to have for breakfast and what kind of trouble he'd be in with Iruka for being late with the chunin.
Kakashi got kitchen and picked out a bowl of cereal and looked about, grabbing a jug of milk from the fridge he pour all of the needed items into a bowl and grabbed a spoon. He readily dug into the food and smiled as the sugar popped in his mouth(He'd taken his mask down to eat). He looked about, what had he forgotten? He thought a moment, then snapped his fingers together. He knew what he'd forgotten, but packing was a drag so he'd wait until later to do it. He finished the bowl and placed it in the sink. Moving towards the front room he picked up hiss book, flipping the pages as he found where he'd left off, he read for a good twenty minutes.
He placed the book down on the table, his hand left lingering on the inviting cover, he'd never thought that would happy. He giggled, yes, giggled, then laughed, then stopped and went off to pack, thinking about what he was going to do that day. He glanced at the clock, about eight? He sighed and finished packing, picking up 'Come, Come' he placed it in his back pouch and threw his pack over his shoulder, grabbing the other strap with his other hand, he smiled slightly and walked out the door, leaving it unlocked. Or at least, it appeared unlocked, one never knew what Kakashi did to his house.
Kakashi strolled through the streets, looking about he jumped and sped off. He came down on a pole near the gate and stared at Iruka, watching the chunin look about and sigh angrily. Then start to mutter. He sat there, quite comfortable there. He waited until the chunin was about ready to go off to his house to jump down, startling the chunin.
Iruka glared at him, his face red from his mutters. He sighed and glanced at Kakashi, he frowned and fixed him with his best, 'You're-late look' and spoke, his voice strained, very strained, but even,
"I thought Hokage-sama asked you to get here earlier?"
There was a brief moment of shock, he looked at the journeyman ninja,
"Maa, I had to help an old lady with her luggage."
"Ya right! That sounds like something you'd say."
Kakashi watched the journeyman ninja and smiled. He looked at the gate, then glanced around, he sighed softly and indicated the gate, with a casual hand,
"Shall we go?"
Iruka glared at him, a pulse marks grew on his face. He frowned at the jounin, placing his hands on his hips, he growled at the man standing abreast him. He snarled softly when Kakashi didn't even glance at him. He sighed and dropped his 'tough look.' It never worked anyways, so what did it matter? It really did, it was just a funny thing Iruka did.
"Hn, can we go now?"
The jounin said boredly, Iruka glance him one last glare, slung his bag onto his back and they both marched out the door.
Pansk: Please tell me if anything is out of order here ... next chapter to come! Hope you like the first chapter of Little lies!